Schools show noteworthy gains

Tennessee's schools have needed some good news for a long time. On Thursday, they got it.

The big leap in test scores measured by the National Assessment of Education Progress by Tennessee fourth- and eighth-graders is a great moment for the students, teachers and local and state education officials who have worked so hard to bring our state's educational attainment out of the depths of mediocrity.

NAEP's report card measured Tennessee students' scores in 2013 against the same work in 2011. Tennessee's progress brought it from 46th nationally in math to 37th and from 41st in reading to 31st.

No other state has ever made as great an advance in the 23 years of NAEP's state-by-state assessments, and everyone who has contributed to that effort deserves the gratitude of our entire state. This is just the kind of transformational change that is needed for Tennessee to become a top-tier location for good jobs, successful businesses, strong investment and improved quality of life.

The push for reform that began during Gov. Phil Bredesen's term has succeeded because of the smooth hand-off of new academic standards from his administration to Gov. Bill Haslam's administration, which has continued to make educational improvement a priority. The bipartisan First to the Top initiative that won a half-billion dollars for Tennessee schools from the federal government also played a major role in Thursday's news.

Some changes that have unfolded in Tennessee education in the past 2½ years have not been well-received. But taken as a whole, it appears the state is on the right course - and the end is not yet in sight.

Tennessee education still is in the bottom half in proficiency nationally. Gov. Haslam and Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman signaled during Thursday's celebration that they understand there is more work to do.

But students and teachers should take pride in their accomplishments so far and carry that pride into their next challenge.

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Schools show noteworthy gains

Tennessee's schools have needed some good news for a long time. On Thursday, they got it.